Georgia Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker created headlines last week when he flashed a seemingly fake law enforcement badge during a debate with Democratic incumbent Senator Raphael Warnock.
Over the weekend, Walker sat down with NBC News’ Kristen Welker and explained his badge’s legitimacy.
“That is a legit badge. I carry it with me all the time. It’s a real badge. It’s not a fake badge,” Walker told Welker.
“Everyone can make fun, but this badge gives me the right … if anything happened in this county, I have the right to work with the police in getting things done,” Walker said without clarifying what things he would be allowed to do.
Later in the interview, Walker conceded the badge was “honorary” but still insisted it allowed him to work directly with police.
“I never embellish,” Walker said. “I’ve never done it. I work in law enforcement.”
The sheriff of Johnson County, Georgia, confirmed to NBC that he had given Walker the honorary badge and “had no issue” with Walker using the badge during his political campaign.
Warnock and Walker are statistically tied at the polls in a pivotal race that could ultimately decide which political party controls the Senate. The 2022 midterm elections will be held on Nov. 8th.
[NBC]
